About 15 students with ties to the Arkansas Tech University theater program utilized the campus’ free speech zone at Hindsman Tower, which is located mid-campus, on Tuesday morning to show their fellow students a sampling of their performing skills in an effort to raise awareness about their program.

Armed with fliers stating their view of events dating back to the October closure of the theater program’s portion of the Techionery building to the January cancellation of the group’s spring production schedule, students spoke with passersby from 10 a.m. to noon as several actors took turns performing monologues from works such as “Marat/Sade,” “Les Miserables,” “The Heidi Chronicles” and “Richard III.”

“The people handing out fliers are answering questions and getting them all up-to-date on everything that has been happening and letting them know why we’re here,” Junior theater major Tim Jarmon said. “It’s also to get the word out. We want people to know, ‘Hey, there’s a theater program. You should come to our shows — get involved.’”

Jarmon said 2,500 fliers, which also include web addresses for Thosetheatrepeople.com and the Save ATU Theatre Facebook page, were printed and about 2/3 were distributed Tuesday.

The group followed the university’s speech and demonstration regulations, which include not causing an “impediment to normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic or other disruptions of university activities,” and not causing damage or destruction of property owned or operated by the university. The group also submitted a contact information form to the Arkansas Tech Office of Student Services. Director of University Relations Sam Strasner said completion of the form is intended to minimize scheduling conflicts and is not mandatory to utilize the free speech zones.

Though some students shied away from the scene, many students took a flier and several stayed to watch a few minutes of the performances.

“It’s kind of intimidating walking into a circle of people wearing black with someone in the middle yelling,” sophomore Sarah Linker, who handed out fliers and performed a monologue, said.

“There has been a lot of friendly response, even if they’re only doing it to placate us so we won’t heckle them — which we wouldn’t do,” junior Ryan Heumier said. “I had one person say, ‘This terrified me. I wanted to come by and see what it was.’”

Linker and Heumier said the demonstration was intended to raise awareness of the demotion of Dr. Ardith Morris, former director of the theater program, and Kate Brugh, former production manager for the theater program and to show support for them, but also to recruit to a program both compared to a tight-knit family.

“Ardith was the first face we saw when we came into this thing and she made us feel at home very quickly,” Heumier said. “It’s a very small gathering of people who should have been together in the first place.”

“We’re hoping it will recruit people and get more people interested in the theater,” Linker said. “It’s a place where people who don’t fit in fit in. I do special effects makeup. People think that’s just weird. But in this group, they’re like, ‘That’s amazing.’ Some people think I’m a freak, but these people appreciate it.”

“Somebody could walk in and say, ‘I have this set of skills.’” Heumier said. “And we’d say, ‘I think I know exactly what to do with you.’ I felt like I’ve grown as a person since I’ve gotten involved. I felt like I was really treading water here before I got involved with the theater department. I believe I said something to Kate to the effect of, ‘This feels like the first step forward that I’ve made in years.’ I don’t know what it was a step forward to, but it was a step forward and it’s one I have yet to feel any regret for.”

Regarding the demotion of Morris and Brugh, Strasner said the decision is to be considered by the university’s Board of Trustees at its Feb. 16 meeting. He said the board may either ratify or reverse the decisions made by the university administration.

Dr. Micheal Tarver, dean of the Arkansas Tech University College of Arts and Humanities, sat in on a few performances. Tarver said Dr. David Eshelman, who was named interim director of the theater program, needs the support of the students.

“Folks just need to realize that he’s the director of the theater,” Tarver said. “If they want to support the theater, then they need to get behind him as he does what needs to be done. Administrative decisions aren’t made by popular vote, I’m afraid. Dr. Morris is still here. She’s still teaching classes. She’s still teaching acting to these kids, and Kate Brugh is still teaching production design to these kids and productions will continue in the fall.”

Any protest at Arkansas Tech is a waste of time as long as the current administration is in place. Since leaving Tech several years ago, I have become well aware of the poor reputation that Tech has in the national academic community. It is issues like this that gives Tech that reputation. shades nizzings

I am happy to see the students speaking out. I am sorry to say Dr. Tarver is a disappointing as always. "This is how it is! If you want to support your program, just shut up and get over it." This is attitude of the ATU administration? Shameful ....